Face mask with adjustable ear loops

ABSTRACT

A mask includes: a rectangular body section; a top strap that is attached to the rectangular body section across a top of the rectangular body section, the top strap including ends extending from sides of the top of the rectangular body section; and a bottom strap that is attached across a bottom of the rectangular body section, wherein ends of the bottom strap are sewn to edges of the rectangular body section such that the bottom strap forms a pair of tension loops located on bottom sides of the rectangular body section. The ends of the top strap pass through the pair of tension loops to form a pair of ear loops on sides of the rectangular body portion. Ends of the top strap are slidable through the pair of tension loops to adjust sizes of the pair of ear loops.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and is a non-provisional of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/029,593 for a “Face Mask with adjustable Ear Loops” filed on May 25, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to the field of face masks. More particularly, this disclosure relates to face masks that are adjustable and that provides increased comfort to a wearer of a face mask.

BACKGROUND

A variety of face masks exist that may be worn by a person to help prevent the spread of particles exhaled by the wearer and to further protect the wearer. Typical face masks may include elastic ear loops that fit around the ears of the wearer to tightly hold the face mask over a nose and mouth of the wearer. Although elastic ear loops may tightly hold a face mask on a wearer's face, elastic ear loops may cause discomfort to the wearer, such as by irritating the wearer's ears or other portions of the wearer's face.

Although other types of closures exist, those closures may be difficult to operate or to keep the mask secure to the wearer's face. For example, some face masks may include straps that may be tied behind the wearer's head. However, these types of face masks may be difficult to secure by the wearer and to maintain to the face mask tight over the wearer's nose and mouth.

What is needed, therefore, is a face mask that is adjustable and that provides increased comfort to a wearer of a face mask.

SUMMARY

The above and other needs are met by a face mask having adjustable ear loops. In a first aspect, a mask, includes: a rectangular body section; a top strap that is attached to the rectangular body section across a top of the rectangular body section, the top strap including ends extending from sides of the top of the rectangular body section; and a bottom strap that is attached across a bottom of the rectangular body section. wherein ends of the bottom strap are sewn to edges of the rectangular body section such that the bottom strap forms a pair of tension loops located on bottom sides of the rectangular body section. The ends of the top strap pass through the pair of tension loops to form a pair of ear loops on sides of the rectangular body portion. Ends of the top strap are slidable through the pair of tension loops to adjust sizes of the pair of ear loops.

In one embodiment, the top strap is formed of a non-elastic material. In another embodiment, the top strap is formed of cotton.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, appended claims, and accompanying figures, wherein elements are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a face mask in a flat, folded position according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a back view of a face mask according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a front view of a face mask worn on a face according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a face mask worn on a face according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows an exploded side view of pleats of the body portion of a face mask according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 shows an exploded side view of a tension loop of a face mask according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various terms used herein are intended to have particular meanings. Some of these terms are defined below for the purpose of clarity. The definitions given below are meant to cover all forms of the words being defined (e.g., singular, plural, present tense, past tense). If the definition of any term below diverges from the commonly understood and/or dictionary definition of such term, the definitions below control.

Referring to FIG. 1, a body 1 of a mask is shown. The body 1 may be rectangular, and may be formed, for example, of two rectangles. The body 1 may have dimensions of approximately 5½ inch tall and approximate 9 inches wide. For patterned fabrics, colorful sides of the rectangles may be placed together together and a ¼-inch seam sewn with a straight stich along both the 5½-inch sides. The rectangular body 1 may be turned right side out so that any seams are on the inside of the mask, and the body 1 may be subsequently ironed flat.

With further reference to FIG. 1, a top strap 2 and a bottom strap 3. The top strap 2 may be elongate and may be formed having dimensions of approximately 32 inches long and 2 inches tall. The bottom strap 3 may be elongate and formed having dimensions of approximately 14 inches long and 2 inches tall. A 25 mm bias tape maker may be used to double fold and iron both the top strap 2 and the bottom strap 3. To attach the top strap 2 and the bottom strap 3 to the body 1, a first longer side of the rectangular body 1 may be placed in a center of the top strap 2 and a second longer side of the body 1 in a center of the bottom strap 3. The top strap 2 and the bottom strap 3 may be folded in half so that no raw edges are showing on the body 1 or the top strap 2 or the bottom strap 3. An entire length of the top strap 2 and the bottom strap 3 may be sewn with a zigzag stich, hiding any fraying edges and attaching the top strap 2 and the bottom strap 3 to the body 1.

The top strap 2 may be formed of a non-elastic material such as cotton. The top strap 2 and the bottom strap 3 are preferably formed such that the top strap 2 is comfortable around ears of a wearer when the mask is being worn. The body 1 may similarly be formed of a fabric material, such as cotton. It is also understood that the body 1 may be formed of other suitable materials. For example, embodiments of the mask described herein may be disposable, such that the body 1, the top strap 2, and the bottom strap 3 are made of disposable materials.

Referring to FIG. 5, to make pleats in the body 1, a portion of fabric, such as about ¼-inch of fabric, is pinched on both sides of the body approximately 1%-inch from a top of the mask and folded to make a top pleat 5. Pinch another ¼-inch of fabric on both sides 1¾-inch from the bottom of the mask and fold the fabric down to make a bottom pleat 6. Iron the top pleat 5 and the bottom pleat 6 so that the top pleat 5 and the bottom pleat 6 hold their shape while sewing. Sides of the mask may be sewn with a zigzag stich to secure the top pleat 5 and the bottom pleat 6.

Referring to FIG. 6, to make tension loops, turn the mask with the an outside of the body 1 on the surface. Arrange the top strap 2 so that the top strap 2 is laying perpendicular and across the bottom strap 3. Fold the bottom strap 3 over the top strap 2, holding it tight enough so that there is tension to hold the top strap 2 in place. Make a straight stich close to the top strap 2 without sewing it together. Do the same to the other side.

Referring to FIG. 6, a folded section 7 and tension loops 8 are shown. To finish the mask, excess fabric from the bottom strap 7 is folded in half. Excess fabric may be secured with a zigzag stich going in the same direction as the other diagonal stiches. Do not sew over the tension loop 8 holding the strap in place or the strap 2 will not move. Finally, tie knots 9 in ends of the top strap 2 so they do not fray or unravel. The tension loops 8 may be sized such that ends of the top strap 2 may slide through the tension loops 8 while also at least partially frictionally securing ends of the top strap 2 to prevent the top strap 2 from inadvertently sliding through the tension loops as described in greater detail below.

When configured to be worn, ends of the top strap 2 are located through the tension loop 8 such that the top strap 2 forms loops on opposing sides of the mask. The mask is placed on a wearer's face by placing the loops formed by the top strap around the wearer's ears. A size of the loops may be adjusted, such as by pulling on ends of the top strap that are located through the tension loops 8. By pulling on ends of the top strap 2, a size of the loops formed by the top strap 2 is decreased, thereby fitting the mask closer to the wearer's face. Similarly, the top strap 2 may be loosened relative to the tension loops 8, thereby increasing a size of the loops formed by the top strap 2.

The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The described preferred embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the disclosure to the precise form(s) disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the disclosure and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the concepts revealed in the disclosure in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the disclosure as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A mask, comprising: a rectangular body section; a top strap that is attached to the rectangular body section across a top of the rectangular body section, the top strap including ends extending from sides of the top of the rectangular body section; and a bottom strap that is attached across a bottom of the rectangular body section, wherein ends of the bottom strap are sewn to edges of the rectangular body section such that the bottom strap forms a pair of tension loops located on bottom sides of the rectangular body section; wherein the ends of the top strap pass through the pair of tension loops to form a pair of ear loops on sides of the rectangular body portion; and wherein ends of the top strap are slidable through the pair of tension loops to adjust sizes of the pair of ear loops.
 2. The mask of claim 1, wherein the top strap is formed of a non-elastic material.
 3. The mask of claim 1, wherein the top strap is formed of cotton. 